Google Says Spam Policies Apply To AI Responses In Search

"Google updated the leading paragraph in the search spam policies to clarify that the policies apply to the Google Search AI responses, such as AI Overviews and AI Mode (or whatever else is AI-generated). Google said, "the Google Search spam policies also apply to generative AI responses in Google Search.""

"Google said it made this change because it wanted to make "it clear that the spam policies apply to all of Google Search, including generative AI responses." What changed? The spam policies document now has this line: In the context of Google Search, spam refers to techniques used to deceive users or manipulate our Search systems into featuring content prominently, such as attempting to manipulate Search systems into ranking content highly or attempting to manipulate generative Al responses in Google Search."

"In the context of Google Search, spam refers to techniques used to deceive users or manipulate our Search systems into featuring content prominently, such as attempting to manipulate Search systems into ranking content highly or attempting to manipulate generative Al responses in Google Search."

Google updated its Search spam policies to clarify that the rules apply to generative AI responses shown in Google Search. The policies now define spam in the context of Google Search as techniques used to deceive users or manipulate Search systems into featuring content prominently. The definition includes attempts to manipulate generative AI responses in Google Search, such as trying to influence how content is ranked or presented. This means tactics aimed at getting a brand or name featured in AI Overviews or AI Mode may violate the spam policies. The update is intended to make clear that spam protections cover all of Google Search, including AI-generated results.

Read at Search Engine Roundtable